How offensive would it be to share a wheelchair with my non-disabled child?

[carmiedog]

We'll have a young 4yo who will still need a stroller. There's a possibility I might need a wheelchair. I have irregular and unpredictable dizziness and syncope due to a heart condition, and tire easily. I don't know when it will hit. And if I'm lucky, I could make it through the whole vacation with no problems at all! We're taking a stroller for dd, but if I have problems, would it be looked upon poorly to let dd ride in the stroller when I feel up to walking? And can she sit in my lap while DH pushes both of us? DH obviously can't push both a stroller and wheelchair, and I don't trust my boys to not run into people if we allow them to push. I'm hoping this is all theoretical, but my bad spells have been increasing and I don't want to make everyone sit and wait until I feel better - it's Disney World! I'm just worried about offending people by having dd ride in a wheelchair. I'm self-conscious enough even considering the possibility of having to use one myself when I'm not disabled.

 

[Mary976]

At 4 they are still pretty small. The big thing people are concerned about is seeing children riding on ECVs, since that can be a safety issue. Although one other idea might be to have you get the ECV, and then your husband could push just the stroller, if that is something that could work with your condition. Honestly, you probably will never see the people at Disney again, so hopefully that can help you feel less self-conscious.

Hope you and the family have a nice trip!
Mary

 

[DisMomAmy]

I know this is easier said than done, but don't worry about what other people are thinking of you... you are probably paying a lot of money for a nice family vacation so whatever works for you is what you should do. And have a great time!

 

[bopper]

If you are having issues, can you ride an ECV or do you need somebody to push you and be in control?

Can somebody else (your mom/dad, MIL/FIL, sister, friend) come with you in case you need help?

Do you need a wheel chair right away when you have an issue? or could your DH go get one if needed only?

 

[Schmeck]

You stated you tire easily. WDW entails a lot of walking! Rent an ECV offsite, and don't feel "guilty" using it. Think of it as the best way for your family to have a great vacation. Of course it's not safe to have your daughter ride with you on an ECV, but since you'll be able to propel yourself, your husband can push the stroller.

 

[SueM in MN]

With unpredictable dizziness and syncope (fainting, in simple lay terms), I would suggest NOT renting an ECV. Either of those in combination with a powered vehicle would not be safe.
If you can hold your 4 yr old on your lap while your DH pushes you in a wheelchair, that would work (as long as she would not fall off if become dizzy or light headed).
Probably no one would look at you one way or the other if your DD rides in the wheelchair. And, as the other posters pointed out, if someone does, you are doing what you need to do and what they think doesn't matter.
That said, a wheelchair is not that comfortable for a small child to ride in. Because it is made for an adult, it will be high for her to get in and out of. It also will be deep to sit in (so if she sits all the way back so her back is supported, the bend of the seat will come way after her knees). She may actually surprise you if you just let her walk. We've been with our niece and her DD who was not quite 4. The little girl walked without a problem until our 4th day in a row going to the parks; at that point, she said she was "all out of walk" and wanted a stroller. I think that if we had not gone so many days in a row, she would have done just fine without a stroller.
Since you are going to be traveling at a slower pace, she may do fine. To keep her with you, she could wear a wrist leash or a child leash to keep her close to you.

 

[livndisney]

Something else you may want to consider. How comfortable are you going to be with a child on your lap in the summer? If the dizziness hits you, are you going to be able to hold the 4 year old?

As others have said, I don't know how comfortable the 4 year old would be in the wheelchair.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm going to have to agree with Sue on this one. If you have fainting spells and sudden dizziness, an ECV is most likely not for you. Not to mention wheelchair rentals are much cheaper nad you can even ask your resort for one if you stay onsite. The resorts have a limited number you can use for free for the duration of your stay, they are available on a first come first served basis.

I would suggest getting one of those tethers for your 4 year old so that way if she wants to walk you or your DH can keep better track of her. I used to be a Cast Member in Fantasyland, aka lost child central. I have seen parents lose their children while they were holding their hand. One minute Jr. is holding your hand, the next he sees something and boom he's gone. This will give you peace of mind if she wants to walk.

As for her riding in it with you, some people will take it as a sign that you con't really need it, but as others have said when will you ever see them again. Do what you need to do to enjoy your vacation. Since you tire easily, your best bet is to get a wheelchair from your resort or as soon as you get to the parks because you will need it. A day at Disney is exhausting under regular circumstances!

 

[JeannieNM]

Do not even give it a second thought. Of course your child can ride on your lap. I am a paraplegic and my DD rode on my lap all the time from when she was an infant. When she was little she would fall asleep in my lap while DH pushed us from Epcot to our hotel. I also pushed many a places with her on my lap and no help. Make sure she holds on or if someone else is pushing you put your arm around her. My DD is 13, 5'3" and 90 some pounds and she still rides on my lap when she is falling a sleep. We do not go far, maybe the rec room to her room but I still love it.

 

[mechurchlady]

I agree with Sue also. I was at SeaWorld late at night and was tired. I fell asleep while driving an ECV and drove right up a slanted curb and into a grassy area. I was very lucky to have gone straight into a slanted curb or I could have easily rolled. Since then I make sure I am in good enough shape to be alert when using an ECV.

Definitely let the kid walk and if they get tired let them ride. Also look into a rollator which would give you something to hold onto and sit down on. you can take them in line and they fold up on busses.

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/10832062/Rollator_Mobility_Wheelchair.jpg
http://www.medicalcenterrespiratory.com/images/Sunrise Rollator.jpg

Disney staff will bring a wheelchair to you if you have an episode and need to leave fast. The nurse's station is a quiet place to rest and I have seen Disney staff quickly respond to emergencies.